Nirav Modi declared absconder in DRI case

In further trouble for fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi, a Surat court on Wednesday proclaimed him as an absconder in a case related to alleged diversion of diamonds/pearls from Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units.

The case is being investigated since December 2014 by the Mumbai unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

According to sources in the DRI, the chief judicial magistrate court’s proclamation against Modi will enable the agency to take steps to attach the beleaguered diamantaire’s assets.

“The case relates to the diversion of duty-free imported goods by the SEZ units of the Surat-based Nirav Modi Group of companies — Firestar International Pvt Ltd, Firestar Diamond International Pvt Ltd and Radashir Jewellery Company Pvt Ltd. These units dealt in import and export of diamonds, pearls and jewellery,” said a DRI source. At SEZ units, imported goods meant to be exported do not attract any customs duty.

“The DRI probe, however, showed that the duty-free diamonds and pearls imported by the Modi were clandestinely diverted into the local market and substituted by locally-procured diamonds and pearls,” the source added.

The CBI is likely to file a charge sheet by November 18 against those arrested for the killing of Pune-based rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in 2013, the Bombay High Court was told on Wednesday. The central agency has so far arrested or secured the